Travel With Children

Travelling to Dubai with kids can be child's play, especially if you keep a light schedule and involve them in day-to-day planning. There's plenty to do from water parks and playgrounds to theme parks and activity centres. Most beach resorts operate kids' clubs.

Keeping Cool

Most beachfront hotels have kids' clubs. Among the best are Sinbad's at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Club Mina at the Le Meridien Mina Seyahi, and the Fairmont Falcons Kids' Club at the Fairmont Dubai on Palm Jumeirah.

Water parks

These are a hit with everyone from tots to teens. For spine-chilling slides, Aquaventure on Palm Jumeirah is a suitable launch pad, while the original family favourite, Wild Wadi Waterpark, has options for nervous nellies as well as adrenaline junkies. Popular Legoland Water Park in Jebel Ali is geared more towards younger kids, while the newer Laguna Waterpark has a wave pool where you can surf. A cheaper, low-key alternative is Splash 'n' Party in Jumeirah.

Dubai Mall Ice rink

If liquid water isn't keeping your little ones cool enough, have them do pirouettes and disco dancing at the Olympic-sized ice rink at Dubai Mall.

Ski Dubai

Tackling the snow slopes and meeting penguins at Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates. Now how cool is that?

Theme Parks & Museums

Dubai is working towards positioning itself as the theme park capital of the Middle East, so there's always something new here.

IMG Worlds of Adventure

Pose for selfies with 'real-life' dinos and go on adventures with Marvel and Cartoon Network characters in the world's largest indoor amusement park.

This protected area offers junior birders the chance to observe flamingos and other feathered friends through binoculars.

Green Planet

This indoor rainforest brings the tropics to the desert complete with birds, frogs, lizards, butterflies, turtles and other critters.

Meydan Horse Stable Tour

See championship thoroughbreds train and even swim in their own pool on behind-the-scenes tours of the famous stables.

Dubai Butterfly Garden

Pose with gorgeous winged creatures in this enchanting indoor garden with attached museum.

Desert Safari Park

A vast reserve with some 2500 animals, ranging from lions to crocodiles, plus a petting farm and reptile house.

Playgrounds & Parks

Bounce

This vast trampoline park offers a fun bouncy day out for kids and adults alike.

KidZania

This interactive miniature city for kids in Dubai Mall offers the ultimate in role-play options.

Mattel Play! Town

At this relatively new contender tots get to interact with Barney & Co in 'edu-taining' play.

Zabeel Park

This sprawling central park counts a lake with boating, adventure playground and lots of shade among its assets.

Outdoor Adventures

Desert Explorations

For the ultimate holiday pic to impress their pals back home, consider sandboarding, camel riding, going on an overnight desert safari or even a trekking trip to the Hajar Mountains. A recommended company is Platinum Heritage Tours.

Al Boom Diving

Young divers over 12 years of age are eligible for open-water dives with this well-respected outfit.

Junior Foodies

Where to eat

It's perfectly fine to bring your kids to all but the most formal restaurants, although they (and you) might feel more relaxed at casual cafes, bistros and family restaurants. All the malls boast extensive food courts where kids can browse and pick what they like. Hotels have at least one restaurant suitable for families, usually the 24-hour cafe or the buffet restaurant. There's also a growing crop of kid-geared cafes, including BookMunch Cafe and Unicorn Vibes Cafe.

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